University of Washington

#109, overall score 48.67/100

Fun Fact:

The Wave was invented at Husky Stadium in 1981. The stadium also holds the record for the loudest game in college football history: a 1992 game against Nebraska reached 130 decibels — as loud as standing 50 feet away from a military jet taking off.

Why should Jewish students attend UW? Aside from the University of Washington being a beautiful campus, the faculty and staff are kind and friendly. At Chabad, one can find programming geared towards students at every level. Everyone is welcome, regardless of whichever labels they may ascribe to. The Shabbat dinners at Chabad have become a staple amongst the Jewish students. One-on-one coffee or studying has been a big draw, in addition to the plethora of programs offered through Chabad UW. At the University of Washington, you have the advantage of living in a large bustling city with a vibrant Jewish community and a strong Jewish community on campus. Rabbi Mendel and Miriam Weingarten, directors, Chabad at University of Washington

What Students Say:

“The University of Washington is highly institutional and has a very profit-motivated board of regents, which invests millions in costly capital projects while simultaneously underfunding janitors, cutting TA positions and hiking rents”…“Seattle is a wonderful city with many problems, leading to a dynamic and interesting society. The history of the university is storied, rich and tragic. These factors all contribute to a unique experience.”

SAFETY Score: 2/11

What Students Say:

“The very aware and politically active nature Jewish community opposes both the Trump regime and Israeli occupation and apartheid, and fights anti-Semitism in queer spaces and homophobia/transphobia in Jewish spaces.”

Where do Jewish students come from? ​Mostly from Washington. There are also many students from California and Oregon.

Kosher food details: ​There is a large supermarket nearby. The KFC Supermarket provides a large variety of kosher food. ​The students also know that if at any time they are looking for a homemade kosher meal they can come over to the Chabad House. ​

What Students Say:

“People coming from Ashkenazi, Sephardic and Mizrahi backgrounds contribute to a great diversity”…“There is also an element of light anti-Semitism in Seattle, which needs to be challenged”…“My Jewish community is unique for its immense diversity, the joy it produces and just the amount every person brings to the table. Jews and non-Jews are fully integrated, and we value acceptance, not just tolerance.”

Do you attend this school? Do you want to tell us more about what life there is like? Take our survey here, and your feedback could be featured in next year’s guide! And if you’re a student or campus professional, join our online community Jewish Campus Confidential, and apply to become a Forward Campus Ambassador.

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